Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of medieval and Renaissance music. The ensemble was founded in 1984 by the Italian musician and musicologist, Maurizio Molinari, who remains its artistic director to this day. Molinari was born in 1959 in the Italian city of Padua, and he began his musical studies at a young age. He studied the lute and early music at the Conservatory of Padua, and he later went on to study musicology at the University of Bologna. Molinari's passion for early music led him to form Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia, which takes its name from a 14th-century Italian manuscript that contains a collection of secular songs and dances. The ensemble's main members are all highly skilled musicians who specialize in the performance of early music. They include Maurizio Molinari on lute and voice, Marco Ferrari on voice and percussion, Elena Carzaniga on voice and harp, and Giorgio Dal Monte on voice and percussion. The ensemble also collaborates with other musicians and singers on a regular basis. Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia has performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and it has received critical acclaim for its performances. The ensemble has been praised for its authentic and engaging interpretations of early music, and it has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its appearance at the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 1990. The festival is one of the most prestigious early music festivals in the world, and Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia's performance was widely praised for its virtuosity and musicality. The ensemble has also performed at other major early music festivals, including the Festival de Musique Ancienne de Saintes in France, the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, Germany, and the Boston Early Music Festival in the United States. In addition to its festival appearances, the ensemble has also performed in many of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Wigmore Hall in London, and the Lincoln Center in New York. Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia has recorded extensively, with over 20 albums to its name. Its recordings have been released on major record labels such as Deutsche Grammophon, Harmonia Mundi, and Glossa. The ensemble's recordings have received critical acclaim and have won numerous awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Choc de la Musique. One of the ensemble's most acclaimed recordings is its album "Laude di Sancta Maria," which features a collection of 14th-century Italian sacred songs. The album was praised for its beautiful and haunting performances, and it won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Early Music in 1995. Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia's commitment to early music has also led it to collaborate with other artists and musicians. The ensemble has worked with choreographers, visual artists, and theater companies to create innovative and engaging performances that bring early music to life in new and exciting ways. In addition to its performances and recordings, Ensemble Chominciamento di Gioia is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians and students, and it has also created educational programs for schools and community groups.

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